Five bullets for Rodriguez

Sean McNeall reports from the Dominican Republic on the inaugural Casa de Campo Regatta 2007 Presidente Cup

Pepe Rodriguez and crew aboard Celtic V swept the inaugural Casa de Campo Regatta 2007 Presidente Cup.

Riding a string of first-place finishes in five races, Celtic V won overall honours and a Corum watch. Celtic V had won the four buoy races on the first two days of racing and then added a final victory in Saturday’s race to Isla Catalina.

“We came to win,” said Celtic V owner Pepe Rodriguez, whose crew included his uncle Xavier as tactician. Rodriguez plans to campaign his Frers 45 on the Caribbean circuit in the coming weeks, but has an affinity for the Presidente Cup, hosted at the Casa de Campo Yacht Club and Marina.

“This regatta is the best,” Rodriguez said. “There’s nothing that can compare to this event in the Caribbean. It’s the best place for an owner because everything you need is right here.”

Juan Lehoux’s Lehmar, a Beneteau 34.3, won Division 2 and placed fifth overall. Sven Holmbom’s Orion, a Hunter 301, was won Division 3 and placed third overall.

“We paid attention,” said Holmbom. “Many of the other teams made mistakes, but we just focused on what we’d set out to do. I definitely will be back in 2008.”

The Casa de Campo Regatta 2007 Presidente Cup is sponsored by Presidente beer. Official sponsors include Casa de Campo Yacht Club, Corum, Casa Life magazine, Bleu Marine, Naked Fish restaurant, Peynado Group, Tropigas, Sunix and Silgon.

Casa de Campo Regatta 2007 Presidente Cup
Provisional Standings (after 5 races)
1. Celtic V (Frers 45) Pepe Rodriguez, 1-1-1-1-1 – 5 points
2. Kolio (Ericson 33) Fernando Florencio, 2-2-5-3-2 – 14 points
3. Orion (Hunter 301) Sven Holmbom 3-5-3-6-3 – 20 points
4. Plotter One (Beneteau First 36.7) 4-3-2-4-8 – 21 points
5. Lehmar (Beneteau 34.3) Juan Lehoux 8-8-4-9-4 – 33 points